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Singapore is packed with a wealth of tourist attractions suitable for visitors of all ages, many of which are just as enjoyable for parents as they are for children. Singapore has theme parks, museums and cultural attractions that are large and small, indoor and outdoor, and educational as well as fun.

Sentosa Island

Resorts World Sentosa (rwsentosa.com), a huge complex of resorts and entertainment venues on Singapore's Sentosa Island, has two theme parks suitable for children -- Universal Studios Singapore and the Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium. The Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium includes more than 400 objects related to Southeast Asia's maritime heritage, including a giant treasure ship, recreated souks, ancient navigation tools and sunken cargoes recovered from shipwrecks. At the Typhoon Theatre, the whole family can take a virtual ride through stormy seas on a ninth century Chinese junk. Also on Sentosa Island is Underwater World Singapore and Dolphin Lagoon (underwaterworld.com.sg), where children can meet and have their photo taken with dolphins and fur seals and see some 2,500 marine creatures in the oceanarium.

Animal Attractions

At Singapore's Jurong Bird Park (birdpark.com.sg), you can see some 5,000 birds representing 380 species from all over the world. The park has received accolades as a family friendly attraction, including a Top 10 Best Family Experiences award from the Singapore Tourism Board for its Feed the Lories exhibit, a nine-story high aviary where guests can hand-feed colorful lories and lorikeets. Other highlights include aviaries replicating the tropical rainforests of Africa and South America, the Penguin Coast exhibit where you can watch daily feeding sessions, and Parrot Paradise, home to 92 parrot species. Another major animal attraction for children is Singapore Zoo (zoo.com.sg), where all the animal residents live in spacious landscapes simulating their natural habitats. Attractions include the Australian Outback, Elephants of Asia, Fragile Forest and Primate Kingdom. More than a third of the zoo animals, including the white tigers, proboscis monkeys and polar bears, are threatened species.

Educational Attractions

Science Centre Singapore (science.edu.sg) is designed to be a fun place for curious children, with exhibitions such as Space Science, where you can learn about the solar system, moon landings and mission to Mars; the Kinetic Garden, with a magic swing, a lithophone and walk the plank ride; and Scientist for a Day, which features a DIY laboratory. The S'pore Discovery Centre (sdc.com.sg) also combines learning and fun in a kid-friendly environment. Many of its attractions are interactive, including the Digital Dance Studio where you can try the traditional dances of Singapore's diverse populations, and Battlefield Command with tank and fighter jet simulator rides. The whole family can learn about Chinese culture at Haw Par Villa, which has welcomed visitors since 1937. Admission is free. The venue includes more than 1,000 statues and dioramas related to Chinese folklore, Buddhist and Confucian philosophy and water gardens with live fish.

Outdoor Activities

Forest Adventure (forestadventure.com.sg) consists of two aerial courses -- ladders, swings, bridges, swings and zip lines -- built through the treetops of a forest. The Kids Course is designed for children 5 and older to cross without supervision; the more adventurous Grand Course calls for parents to accompany their children. Instructors brief all participants before they set out on the courses. Wild Wild Wet (wildwildwet.com) is a water park with numerous slides, flume rides, a wave pool, lazy river and several pools and whirlpools. A special area for toddlers has a shallow pool and soft play equipment. Highlights of eXplorer Kid (explorerkid.com), an expansive indoor playground designed for children 12 and younger, include a glowing ball pool, a rope course with a suspension bridge, and Ball'O'City, with cannons, blasters and buckets for shooting soft foam balls.

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About the Author

A writer of diverse interests, Joanne Thomas has penned pieces about road trips for Hyundai, children's craft projects for Disney and wine cocktails for Robert Mondavi. She has lived on three continents and currently resides in Los Angeles, where she is co-owner and editor of a weekly newspaper. Thomas holds a BSc in politics from the University of Bristol, England.